Lando Norris didn’t just beat Max Verstappen at the Miami Grand Prix – he was 7.6 seconds ahead of the Red Bull which just could not keep up with the upgraded McLaren.
As he crossed the finish line, Lando Norris let out a scream of equal parts delight and relief.
For the first time in his F1 career, at the 110th time of asking, the Briton became a race-winner. And his first words were for his race engineer Will Joseph, who confirmed to the 24-year-old that his boyhood dream had finally become a reality.
“We did it, Will!” Norris screamed, his delighted expression obvious even underneath his helmet. He stepped out of his McLaren to a roar of approval from the Miami crowd and got a big hug from his great friend Max Verstappen.
Norris benefitted from a well-timed safety car which came out after the Dutchman had pitted for fresh tyres. Previous experience suggested the Red Bull would roar past from the moment the race resumed.
But he held Verstappen off heading into the first corner and never looked back from there. McLaren gave him a massive upgrade package for this weekend and the timing was perfect as Norris had the car he needed to not only match the race pace of the Red Bull, but better it.
“About time, huh?” He began in his post-race interview. He then dropped an F-bomb before apologising, aware he was speaking on live TV to millions around the globe.
Norris then said: “What a race. It’s been a long time coming but finally I’ve managed to do it. “I’m so happy for my whole team – I’ve finally delivered for them. It was a long day, a tough race, but I’m finally on top and over the moon.”
Verstappen is not accustomed to losing. He had emerged victorious in every race he had completed this year before this occasion.
Despite this, he was able to smile even after being defeated by his close friend in the F1 paddock.
The Red Bull driver commented that winning and losing is a common occurrence in racing, stating that today’s race was challenging due to Lando Norris’ exceptional performance. Despite facing difficulties, he expressed contentment with finishing in second place.
Charles Leclerc also stood on the podium for Ferrari, but the spotlight was on Norris as he demonstrated that Red Bull can be defeated in a fair competition. McLaren is looking forward to the upcoming weeks with anticipation. When F1 heads back to Imola for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix later this month, Oscar Piastri will receive the complete set of upgrades.
There is a renewed optimism that Red Bull can be defeated.
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